APHA Info > Programs

Programs

APHA’s array of programs were designed to help members of all ages and experience levels enjoy a deeper level of involvement and fulfillment with their Paint Horses and the Association, and to feel like a member of the APHA community. 

Amateur
Approximately 6,000 Amateur cards are issued by the Association each year. The Amateur exhibitor program is for individuals 19 years or older who meet the eligibility requirements. Applications for Amateur cards (and for Novice Amateur, as well) are available online or can be mailed upon request. Once returned, the applications are kept on file at the Association office, and cards are mailed to the exhibitors.  Amateur cards must be presented to show secretaries to enter Amateur classes at APHA-approved shows. APHA offers year end awards, a year-end awards banquet and additional activities for Amateurs at the APHA World Shows. MORE INFORMATION

AjPHA
The American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) offers young men and women 18 years old and younger an opportunity to compete with their peers, build leaderships skills, and develop a sense of sportsmanship and community involvement.  For AjPHA, the age of an individual on January 1 is maintained throughout the calendar year.  Activities and programs for AjPHA members include competition in APHA-approved shows, the youth team tournament, judging contest, essay contest, photo contest, Member of the Year contest, Club of the Year contest and an art contest.  AjPHA members are eligible for college scholarships through the American Paint Horse Foundation.  Additionally, year-end awards for halter and performance are an added incentive to competitors. MORE INFORMATION

Breeders’ Trust / Breeders’ Futurity
The APHA Breeders’ Trust provides added incentive for Paint Horse owners to exhibit their horse in the show arena and on the race track by paying cash dividends for points earned by nominated horses at APHA-approved events. The Trust is designed so that everyone responsible for the success of an outstanding foal is rewarded, as the stallion subscriber, foal nominator and horse owner all share in the profit. The Breeders’ Futurity is a new feature of the Breeders’ Trust program. It is a prestigious competition designed to showcase the offspring of Breeders’ Trust-subscribed stallions and the mares bred to these stallions. Its purpose is to drive support of the Breeders’ Trust program by increasing the value of Breeders’ Trust foals. Breeders’ Futurity classes are held at the Fall World Championship Show. MORE INFORMATION

Gelding Plus
The Gelding Plus program is designed to increase the value of registered Paint Geldings. Since its reformat in 2007, the Gelding Plus program promotes aged Paint geldings that are 4 years old and older with $3,000 up for grabs at each of the APHA Zone Shows and select international shows. Enrollment is automatic for all registered geldings. However, to be eligible for program participation, geldings must be at least 4 years old and the owner must be an APHA member in good standing. MORE INFORMATION

Judges
Approximately 290 judges have credentials to officiate at APHA-approved shows. To become an approved judge requires an application,a $100 fee and written references submitted to the Performance Department. A judge must pass a written Rule Book test and must be a member of the APHA for one year prior to making application. The department keeps track of a large amount of correspondence required for contacting references and maintaining all of the judge files. MORE INFORMATION including a current list of judges.

Paint Alternative Competition
The Paint Alternative Competition (PAC) program is a competition program designed to record the performance of registered American Paint Horses that compete in events outside the APHA-approved show ring. This program is open to almost any type of activity as long as the competition is sponsored by an organization that keeps official records on the performance of all horses entered in the event—everything from barrel racing to dressage to 4-H. MORE INFORMATION

Professional Horsemen
The APHA Professional Horsemen is a program consisting of equine professionals who pledge to encourage professionalism, integrity and fairness throughout the horse industry, and particularly the Paint Horse industry. Potential members receive the majority of their income from an equine business, must be APHA members in good standing, must apply to and be accepted into the program, provide member references and agree to function as experts at local Paint Horse shows and other equine events, answering questions and promoting the breed and Association. By becoming a member of APHA’s Professional Horsemen, the member understands that the equine industry and clients expect a higher standard of conduct. APHA members who compete at the amateur level are not eligible for this program. MORE INFORMATION

Ride America®
The Ride America program rewards APHA members for the time they spend leisure riding or driving their Paint Horses. Enrollees receive a time log calendar and patch. Horses build a permanent APHA performance record and riders earn credit towards great prizes, including tack, clothing, trail gear, trophy buckles and discounts on official APHA trail rides. MORE INFORMATION